Activities

Activities for families & kids that you can experience from home

By AAA staff

04-10-2020

Your favorite zoos, aquariums, theme parks, and other attractions are more accessible right now than you might realize.

While you can't visit most of them in person, many are offering ways to "visit" over the Internet, from online learning academies to high-definition roller coaster rides. We look at some of the options available for those looking to get out of the house virtually.

Pay a virtual visit to the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park's many animal inhabitants are welcoming virtual visitors via live wildlife cams. Take a quick peek or stay awhile to see the zoo's polar bears, baboons, penguins, and more, plus relive the archived adventures of giant pandas Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu during their time at the zoo.

Run away to the circus with Cirque du Soleil

The famed acrobatic troupe's CirqueConnect content hub offers a wealth of videos for your at-home viewing pleasure. The stars of the show are the weekly 60-minute high-definition videos featuring classic moments from past shows such as Alegría, Volta, and KURIOS. Also available are a weekly workout class, behind-the-scenes footage, and programs for kids.

Ride in the front seat of a Knott's Berry Farm roller coaster

While riding a roller coaster in person is great, one drawback is that everyone can't sit at the front. That's not a problem when you're taking a high-definition virtual ride on one of Knott's Berry Farm's coasters. (Plus, no waiting in line—ever!)

Dive into lessons & exhibits from Georgia Aquarium

America's largest aquarium is hosting daily and weekly live-streaming events on its website, along with educational resources and lesson plans for kids K-12. Visitors can also watch live streams of many of the animals, including the feeding of the piranhas every Saturday, Sunday, and Thursday at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

Bring Disney Parks home with music & drawing lessons

Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort are temporarily closed, but fans can keep in touch with the magic at the official Disney Parks Blog. Guests can explore Disney Parks around the world via videos and photos, such as a video series on Disneyland® Paris.

Keep learning with the Aquarium of the Pacific's Online Academy

The Aquarium of the Pacific's educational mission continues with the Aquarium Online Academy, featuring interactive virtual classroom sessions with Aquarium educators. The Academy also offers on-demand videos and activities for kids and adults, such as its Pacific Pals puppet show series, as well as live streaming webcams of many of the exhibits.

Escape to the past at Colonial Williamsburg

The Internet can transport you around the world and take you back in time. Travel to 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia, with interactive streams and electronic field trips every weekday at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. There are also virtual tours you can take anytime, activity pages for kids, quizzes, and historical recipes for you to try.

Bring the L.A. Zoo to you

The Los Angeles Zoo brings the zoo to animal lovers with a new content collection aimed at educating and entertaining at home with downloadable coloring books, crafts, and content. Animal Draw-Alongs on L.A. Zoo's Facebook Live with Disney artist Brian Kesinger take place April 18, April 25, May 2, and May 9. Plus, check out engaging social media posts featuring photos and videos of the L.A. Zoo, its animal residents, and their keepers during this temporary public closure. Virtual spring activities culminate in the free Beastly Ball event on May 15 at 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Learn more at the L.A. Zoo website.

Keep up with Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

If you think you know the ins and outs of your favorite TV shows and movies, now’s your chance to play along with Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and test your trivia knowledge every Tuesday. Take a walk down memory lane and relive tour moments on Throwback Thursdays, or catch a celebrity sighting on Flashback Fridays. Connect with the tour on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and if you have some memorable tour moments of your own, share them using the hashtag #wbtourhollywood for a chance to be featured.

Practice your building skills with help from LEGOLAND California Resort

If you love to build with LEGO bricks and find yourself at home, take part in LEGOLAND's #LLCBuildingChallenge featured on their website and social channels. Learn how to build a cupcake, a dog, a star, and other designs, with new models introduced weekly. Plus, enjoy weekly word searches, mazes, trivia challenges, and other activities.

Conduct "Stuck at Home Science" daily with the California Science Center

The California Science Center's website is providing free educational activity guides and videos for families. All activities use easy-to-find household supplies and cater to a variety of ages, with new activities released every weekday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

Get crafty with Crayola Experience at Home

Parents can sign up for access to Crayola Experience's free craft downloads, coloring pages, and art projects. Those who sign up will also get regular email updates with new projects and tips to help keep kids entertained and creative.